Apparatus for supporting conduits in trenches



Jan. 11, 1966 L. DEES 3,228,679

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING CONDUITS IN TRENGHES Filed Aug. 8, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 MW W' 'M Hi... "HH'" 2 l3 23 a m INVENTOR.

Leonard A. Dees A TTOR/VE Y DEES 3,228,679

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING CONDUITS IN TRENCHES Jan. 11, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1963 INVENTOR. Leonard 1. Fees.

A 7' TOR/V5 Y United States Patent 3,228,679 APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTINGCONDUITS IN TRENCHES Leonard L. Dees, Kansas Sheet Metal Co., Inc., 314E. 15th St., Topeka, Kans. Filed Aug. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 300,846 Claims.(Cl. 26971) This invention relates to an apparatus for supportingconduits and the like in trenches during pouring and setting of concretein which the conduits are imbedded.

For example, conduits for supplying heating and cooling air to abuilding in a perimeter installation are usually run in trenches alongwalls of the building and are permanently held in place and protected byconcrete which is filled in and around the conduits. It is obvious thatsuch conduits, being hollow, are relatively lightweight, and, therefore,buoyant in the wet concrete during pouring and setting thereof,consequently, the buoyant force is such that the conduits are displayedfrom their desired position and often pushed out of the concrete. Whenthis occurs the cost of placing the conduit and the materials are acomplete loss, because the conduit cannot be returned to its originalposition without removal of the concrete and reinstallation. Also, suchconduits are usually placed in accordance with exact specifications asto position and location with respect to the building. Any variationfrom the specifications, even though slight, might result in pooroperation of the heating or cooling system. Thus it is most importantthat the conduit be accurately positioned and securely held in thatplace until the concrete has set.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to providea small, lightweight conduit support having the form of a gantry inwhich the parts are readily adjustable to accommodate to the conditionsencountered at the site of the trench. A further object is to provide asimple and adjustable hanger for supporting and retaining the conduitfrom movement during pouring and setting of the concrete.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a support of thischaracter that is easily anchored at points spaced from sides of thetrench for a firm footing and to avoid caveing in of the trench; and toprovide lateral and Vertical adjustment so that the conduit isaccurately located in its required position.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafterdescribed, I have provided improved structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a wall and adjacent trench, havinga conduit therein adjusted and supported with an apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred form ofapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the apparatus on the line33 of FIG. I, particularly illustrating the outer anchor for supportingthe cross beam of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, particularlyillustrating the conduit hanger for suspending the conduit from thebeam.

FIG. 5 is a section through the outer arm of the wall clamp, taken onthe line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a modified form of the invention to support a conduit in atrench where no wall has been provided.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section through one of the slides Patented Jan.11, 1966 at one end of the transverse beam and which carries thesupporting legs, the section being taken on the line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section through the lower end of one of the legs, showingthe stake for anchoring the compression pad.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, and first to the form of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive:

1 designates a section through one wall of a building, and 2 a trenchalongside of the wall for containing a conduit 3 of a perimeterinstallation in a heating or cooling system. The conduit 3 is usually oflight gauge metal and is protected and retained in the trench 2 byimbedding the conduit in concrete 4. Such conduits, being hollow and oflight weight, are reaadily buoyant in the wet concrete 4, so thatbuoyant thrusts tend to shift the conduit out of its desired position,and in some instances the concrete completely floats the conduit to thetop of the trench.

To avoid this difliculty, the present invention provides a simple andinexpensive supporting apparatus in the form of a small gantry 5, inthat the apparatus includes a trans verse beam 6 to span the trench 2and having ends supported as now to be described. The beam in theillustrated instance comprises a channel 7 having a web 8 and upper andlower flanges 9 and 10. The beam 6 is of a length so that one end may besupported on the wall 1 when the other end overlies the trench 2 asufficient distance to carry an anchor 11 for firm support on the groundat the side of the trench opposite the wall.

The anchor for the wall end of the beam is a clamp 12, which includes afixed arm 13, also in the form of a channel, and which has its webportion 14 fixed to the end of the beam, preferably by welding. The arm13 depends downwardly from the beam, and the lower end thereof carries aclamp screw 15 having a threaded shank 16 mounted in an internallythreaded opening 17 (FIG. 5) in a plate 18 that is attached to theflanges 19 of the arm, preferably by welding. In order that theinternally threaded opening may have suflicient threads to securelymount the clamp screw, the inner side of the plate 18 has a nut 20welded thereto in registry with the opening 17 and in alignment with anopening 21 in the web portion 14 of the arm. The outer end of the clampscrew has a T-shaped head 22 to facilitate turning thereof without thenecessity of a wrench.

Cooperating with the arm 13 is an arm 23 for engaging the opposite sidesof the wall and which includes angles 24 and 25 at the opposite sides ofthe beam and which are connected at their upper ends by a cross tie 26.The arm 23 is adjustably attached to the beam depending upon thicknessof the wall by a bolt 27 extending through one of a series of openings28 that are provided in the web 8 of the beam.

The anchor 11 comprises a slide in the form of a loop 29. The loop has aweb portion 30 engaging the web 8 of the channel 7 and upper and lowerflange portions 31 and 32 engaging the flange portions 9 and 10. Theside of the loop opposite the web portion 30 is closed by a plate 33welded .to the flange portions 31 and 32, as best shown in FIG. 3. Theweb portion 30 has fixed to the outer side thereof, preferably bywelding, a vertical sleeve 34 that forms a guide for a stake 35.

The slide 29 is secured in any adjusted position along the length of thebeam 6 by a clamping screw 36, similar to the clamping screw previouslydescribed. The sleeve 34 is clamped to the stake 35 by a clamp screw 37threaded into the wall of the sleeve 34. Adjustable on the stake is acompression pad 38 that comprises a plate 39 having a sleeve 40 weldedto the upper face thereof in registry with an opening 41 in the plate39. The compression pad is fixed to the stake by a clamping screw 42,similar to the clamping screws 36 and 37.

In order to support the conduit from the gantry thus provided, the beamcarries a hanger 43, which includes a slide 44 constructed of a sectionof channel of a size so that the web portion 45 thereof and flanges 46and 47 (FIG. 4) fit over the web 8 and flanges 9 and 10 of the beam. Theopen side is closed by a plate 48 having,

a depending gusset portion 49. Fixed to the outer side of the plate 48and extending to the bottom of the gusset 49 is a vertical guide sleeve50 for guiding a stem or rod 51. Fixed to the lower end of the stem 51is a saddle 52 in the form of an arcuate strap that extends over theupper face of the conduit and has laterally extending apertured ears 53for fastening a girth 54, which may consist of a wire extending underthe conduit and having its ends passing through the apertures of theears 53 and twisted on themselves as shown at 55, to draw the saddletightly'on the conduit. The hanger 43 is secured in fixed position onthe beam 6 by a clamp screw 56 threaded into the flange 46 of the slide44 and which has its shank bearing upon the flange 9 of the beam. Thestem 51 is secured in the guide sleeve 50 by a similar clamping screw 57(see FIG. 4).

The modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9,inclusive, has a beam 6 and hanger 43 constructed as previouslydescribed. To make up the modified form of the invention, the arm 23 andanchor 11 are removed from the beam, followed by the removal of thehanger 43. The beam is inverted so that the arm 13 is uppermost, asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When the hanger is reapplied to the beam, thestem 51 thereof extends downwardly as before.

The ends of the beam are supported on leg assemblies 58 and 59. The legassemblies 58 and 59 include slides 60 and 61 composed of channelsections 62 having web portions 63 and flanges 64 and 65 fitting overthe beam 6. The open sides of the channels are closed by plates 66, thatare welded to the flanges 64 and 65, to complete the slide. Welded tothe plates 66 and to the webs 63 of the slides are downwardly diverginglegs 67 and 68.

Fixed to the lower ends of the legs 67 and 68 are compression pads 69and 70 adapted to seat on the ground for supporting the beam 6 intransverse relation to the trench 71 in which the conduit 72 is to besupported. The compression pads are anchored to the ground by means ofstakes 73 and 74 which are supported in slanting position relatively tothe plane of the legs and to the vertical by sleeves 75 and 76 welded tothe plates in registry with openings 77 therein. The sleeves 75 and 76thus guide the stakes so that they may be driven into the ground at thebest angle to securely anchor the legs in both the longitudinal andlateral directions of the beam (see FIGS. 6 and 9).

The leg assemblies are secured to the beam by clamp screws 78 that arecarried by the upper flanges 64 and have their ends bearing against theupper flange 9 of the beam. The stakes are secured in the sleeves 75 and76 by similar clamping screws 79 threadedly carried by the sleeves 75and 76 and having their ends arranged to bear against the stakes 73 and74.

In using the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive,it is assumed that the wall 1 has been built and that the trench 2 hasbeen provided therealong. One or more of the units may be used,depending upon the length of the conduit, to support the conduit in thetrench and to resist the buoyancy effect of the concrete used to imbedthe conduit.

The ends of the beams 6 having the arms 13 are hooked over the top ofthe wall at properly spaced intervals (not shown) and the arms 23 areattached to the beams to engage'the, inside of. the. wall, as shown inFIG. 1.. The

4 clamp screws 15 are then adjusted to clamp the beams to the wall.

The members 29 of the anchor assemblies are adjusted on the beams 6 sothat the compression pads 38 will have firm footing at the side of thetrench opposite the wall 1. The compression pads 38-are placed on theground below the sleeves 34. The stakes 35 are then dropped through thesleeves 34 and through the sleeves 40 of the compression pads 38. Thestakes 35 are then driven into the ground as shown in FIG. 1. The clampscrews 36, 37 and 42 are then tightened to support the outer ends of thebeams.

With the conduit 3 in the trench, the hangers 43 are shifted on thebeams to align the saddles 52 with the conduit. The wires 54 are drawnunder the conduit and the ends are attached to the ears 53 in a mannerto firmly seat the saddles 52 on the conduit. The conduit is aligned inthe trench by adjusting the hangers on the beams, after which the clampscrews 56 are tightened. When it is assured that the conduit has theslope desired, the clamp screws 57 are tightened against the shanks 51which hold the conduit in suspension in the trench. The conduit is nowfirmly supported and held in its adjusted position in the trench. Theconcrete 4 is poured into the trench to fill in the space around theconduit, without danger of displacement by the buoyant effect of the wetconcrete.

After the concrete has set, the portions of the stems 51 that projectabove the concrete may be cut off. The units may then be removed uponloosening the clamp screws 15, 37 and 42 and pulling the stakes 35.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive, isused where there is no wall, in which case the beam 6 is supportedtransversely of the trench on the leg assemblies 58 and 59. The stakes73 and 74 are then inserted in the guide sleeves 67 and 68, which holdthe stakes at an angle both longitudinally and transversely of the beamwhen driven into the ground. It is thus apparent that the stakes, drivenat the angles shown, anchor the compression pads to the ground. Thehanger 43 is connected to the conduit as described above.

While I have described the invention in connection with air supplyconduits of a perimeter air conditioning system, it is to be understoodthat the invention is adapted for positioning and holding any kind ofconduits, pipes and the like for any purpose and where the conduits areto be imbedded in concrete or similar material.

What Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. A support for positioning a hollow conduit in a trench and holdingthe conduit immovable from said position under buoying effect of theconcrete when imbedding the conduit in concrete, said' support includinga cross beam for spanning width of the trench with ends thereofextending over the sides of the trench to support weight of the portionof the conduit to be carried thereon,

means for supporting ends of the cross beam at a fixed level above thetrench, transversely of the conduit,

means for anchoring the cross beam against upward thrust of the conduitunder the buoying effect of the concrete,

a hanger including a slide having top, bottom and side portionsslidably' engaging corresponding portions of the cross beam' to bringthe hanger over the conduit,

a guide fixed to the slide,

a saddle for seating upon the conduit, I

a rigid stem carrying the saddle and slidable within the guide to bringthe saddle into contact with the conduit,

a girth for extension under the conduit and having ends fixed to thesaddle at' the respective sides of the conduit to rigidly secure thesaddle to the conduit,

clamp means for securing said stem to the guide for supporting theconduit at the desireddepth in the trench and for holding the conduitfrom displacement under the buoyant effect of the concrete, and

clamp means carried by the slide and engageable with the cross beam foranchoring the slide on the cross beam.

2. A support for positioning a hollow conduit in a trench and holdingthe conduit immovable from said position under buoyant effect of theconcrete when imbedding the conduit in concrete, as described in claim1,

wherein the supporting means includes at least one leg assembly on oneend of the cross beam, compression pads on the legs of the assembly forengaging the ground,

stake guides fixed to the compression pads at an angle thereto, and

stakes in said guides to be driven into the ground in accordance withthe angles of the guides.

3. A support for positioning and holding a conduit from displacement ina trench extending along a wall while pouring concrete into the trenchfor imbedding the conduit, said support including a cross beam,

clamp means on one end of the cross beam to clamp said end of the crossbeam to the wall,

means slidable on the other end of the beam and having a stake guide,

a stake carried in the guide to be driven into the ground at theopposite side of the trench,

a compression pad on the stake for engaging the ground,

clamping means for securing the stake in the guide,

clamping means for securing the compression pad to the stake forcooperating with the wall to support said cross beam, and

a hanger for the conduit supported by the cross beam for supporting andholding the conduit from said cross beam.

4. A support for holding a conduit from displacement in a trenchextending along a wall while pouring concrete into the trench forimbedding the conduit, said support including a cross beam,

clamp means on one end of the cross beam to clamp said end of the crossbeam to the wall,

means slidable on the other end of the beam and having a stake guide,

a stake carried in the guide to be driven into the ground at theopposite side of the trench,

a compression pad on the stake for engaging the ground,

clamping means for securing the stake in the guide,

clamping means for securing the compression pad to the stake forcooperating with the wall to support said cross beam,

in a trench extending along a wall while pouring concrete into thetrench for imbedding the conduit, said support including a cross beam,

clamp means on one end of the cross beam to clamp said end of the crossbeam to the wall,

means slidable on the other end of the beam and having a stake guide,

a stake carried in the guide to be driven into the ground at theopposite side of the trench,

a compression pad on the stake for engaging the ground,

clamping means for securing the stake in the guide,

clamping means for securing the compression pad to the stake forcooperating with the wall to support said cross beam,

a hanger movable along the cross beam to bring the hanger over theconduit in said trench,

a guide fixed to the hanger,

a saddle,

a stem carrying the saddle and slidable within the guide to bring thesaddle into contact with the conduit,

a girth for extension under the conduit and attachment to the saddle,and

means for securing said stem to the guide for holding the conduitagainst the buoyant effect of the concrete.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 476,815 6/1892Peterson 24859 726,636 4/1903 Carll 24858 1,520,840 12/1924 Murray 264-1,855,751 4/ 1932 Buchanan 248-205 3,021,103 2/1962 Beyerle 248-57ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Examiner.

R. I. BUENZLE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SUPPORT FOR POSITIONING A HOLLOW CONDUIT IN A TRENCH AND HOLDINGTHE CONDUIT IMMOVABLE FROM SAID POSITION UNDER BUOYING EFFECT OF THECONCRETE WHEN IMBEDDING THE CONDUIT IN CONCRETE, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDINGA CROSS BEAM FOR SPANNING WIDTH OF THE TRENCH WITH ENDS THEREOFEXTENDING OVER THE SIDES OF THE TRENCH TO SUPPORT WEIGHT OF THE PORTIONOF THE CONDUIT TO BE CARRIED THEREON, MEANS FOR SUPPORTINF ENDS OF THECROSS BEAM AT A FIXED LEVEL ABOVE THE TRENCH, TRANSVERSELY OF THECONDUIT MEANS FOR ANCHORING THE CROSS BEAM AGAINST UPWARD THRUST OF THECONDUIT UNDER THE BUOYING EFFECT OF THE CONCRETE, A HANGER INCLUDING ASLIDE HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE PORTIONS SLIDABLY ENGAGINGCORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF THE CROSS BEAM TO BRING THE HANGER OVER THECONDUIT, A GUIDE FIXED TO THE SLIDE, A SADDLE FOR SEATING UPON THECONDUIT, A RIGID STEM CARRYING THE SADDLE AND SLIDABLE WITHIN THE GUIDETO BRING THE SADDLE INTO CONTACT WITH ONE CONDUIT, A GIRTH FOR EXTENSIONUNDER THE CONDUIT AND HAVING ENDS FIXED TO THE SADDLE AT THE RESPECTIVESIDES OF THE CONDUIT TO RIGIDLY SECURE THE SADDLE TO THE CONDUIT, CLAMPMEANS FOR SECURING SAID STEM TO THE GUIDE FOR SUPPORTING THE CONDUIT ATTHE SEDIRED DEPTH IN THE TRENCH AND FOR HOLDING THE CONDUIT FROMDISPLACEMENT UNDER THE BUOYANT EFFECT OF THE CONCRETE, AND CLAMP MEANSCARRIED BY THE SLIDE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CROSS BEAM FOR ANCHORINGTHE SLIDE ON THE CROSS BEAM.